I’ve enjoyed witnessing Hughes’ progression throughout his prep career. He started out hanging out on the wing and corners, looking to show off his deep shooting skills. While he’s kept that ability, he gets to the basket more these days and has become an improved defender. He shared the team-lead in rebounding Sunday and found ways to help the Lightning on a night when his shot was not falling.

Hughes is one of the best pure shooters in the area, but he wasn’t at his best in that regard in the Lightning’s win over CCA, going 2-6 from the arc and 5-14 from the floor. That said, he found other ways to impact the game, pulling down 6 rebounds to go with a pair of assists and a pair of steals. He has improved tremendously over the last two years in terms of his all-around game, turning himself from a catch-and-shoot wing into a valuable all-around weapon on both ends of the floor.

Hughes is coming off a really good summer with the Barnstormers and has established himself as one of the best pure shooters in the state. He moves extremely well without the ball in his hands and has a lightning-quick release off the catch with unlimited range. While his shooting is certainly his biggest asset, he has improved as a ball-handler and can provide some secondary playmaking while also contributing on the glass. He averaged 11.5 points and 3.9 rebounds on 41.3% shooting from the arc.

Trey Hughes Trey Hughes 6'2" | SG Liberty | 2024 State IA had a great game for the Barnstormers. He made three of his four threes early in the first half. Once the defense realized he was a knock down shooter, he adjusted and made great plays for his teammates. Hughes finished the game 4/7 from three. In addition to his shooting, he was also able to create chaos defensively in the press that lead to easy buckets for his teammates.

I wrote about Trey Hughes Trey Hughes 6'2" | SG Liberty | 2024 State IA coming into the AAU season and how he was a player to watch out for. I’m happy to say that he is having one heck of a spring for the Iowa Barnstormers 17U Gold team. Most games he is a leader in scoring, a consistent presence on the glass, and an above average defender. That was on full display this weekend in the desert when Trey was lighting it up from deep and attack the basket once people over-played his jump shot. I’m not sure what kind of interest Trey has from colleges at the moment but this kid can score. He is a sniper from deep and if he sees one of his first shots go in, it could be a long day for the defense.

Hughes had a great game on Friday night, routinely coming off screens and knocking down tough, contested shots. He moves extremely well without the ball in his hands and has a quick, repeatable release off the catch. He does a good job utilizing off-ball screens to find spaces in the defense, and he always has his feet squared and ready to shoot off the catch. He’s one of the best pure shooters in Iowa’s 2024 class, and he finds other ways to contribute as well, competing on the glass and playing solid team defense.

Gamer. Can get hot from deep and midrange quickly. Has a nice one dribble pull up going either way. Can get to the hoop off the dribble but prefers to shoot from further away if given the option. Nice strength for his size. Does a good job getting down the floor to an open spot, ready to let it fly at all times. No shot is a bad shot when he is in rhythm for him.

The Barnstormers have put together quite the roster for their upcoming spring/summer sessions that begin in a few short weeks. A roster filled with a group of nice handling guards, balanced shooters, and dominate big guys in the middle of the paint. One of those guys that really can light it up is Trey Hughes Trey Hughes 6'2" | SG Liberty | 2024 State IA . Hughes is of good size and speed for his position with the ability to catch on fire rather quickly while shooting. He is a three level scorer with a nice pull up off of the dribble going baseline or off of the catch. He is the type of player who only has to see one go through the hoop for it to be a long night for an opposing team. Though he can score, he isn’t selfish. He understands that others can get hot along with him and makes sure that those guys get the ball in those moments. Really a coaches dream when you say it out loud. Other than that he works hard on defense and  leaves it all on the floor each game he participates in. As a prospect I like what he brings to the table. He is a player who can fit into a lot of college systems out there. A player who could join a successful program at the next level and make an impact on both ends of the floor for a few years to come.